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Smith took over from Berti Vogts in 2004 and in his three years in charge Scotland rocketed 70 places up the FIFA rankings before he left the post to answer an S.O.S. from Ibrox after the sacking of Paul le Guen.

Smith’s decision angered sections of the Tartan Army but he insisted at the time that he would not have left the position for any other job.

(Image: SNS Group)

And the SFA board has already received assurances that Smith would indeed be willing to consider coming out of retirement to help the national cause.

Smith stepped away from the frontline in May 2011 after leading Rangers to their last top flight title before Craig Whyte took control of the club. He is already one of the most decorated managers in the history of the Scottish game and the last man to lead a Scottish club side to a European final.

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Now the SFA could be ready to hand him an opportunity to become the first manager in more than two decades to lead Scotland to a major finals.

It’s been reported that vice chairman Rod Petrie wants another former Scotland boss, Alex McLeish, to take over the role and that his choice has been backed by president Alan McRae.

But the boardroom reputations of Petrie and McRae’s are on the line after they attempted to save blundering chief executive Stewart Regan from the chop last week - and their bid to back McLeish is believed to be facing heavy resistance from the rest of the board.

It’s understood there is stronger support for the idea of asking Smith to ride to Scotland’s rescue and take over before next month’s friendly fixtures against Costa Rica and Hungary.